Touching a chord

Grooving to chartbusters on the disc floor, catching the latest flicks at the multiplex on Fridays, painting the city red every night; more often than not generation next is associated with a carefree attitude. Their lingo startles, their dress code daring, their cars swanky, the mobile handsets are top end. But, here's the catch. Some members of this brand-crazy generation have much more to offer.

These youngsters have taken a detour from the Ferrari lane, tracing their journey to the labyrinthine lanes, where gratification is the only reward. These youngsters have given up high-flying careers to pursue social and noble causes for a change in the landscape of the Indian social fabric. They are concerned about global warming, deforestation, saving the tiger and other thought-provoking issues.

Chander Prakash is doing what he believe in

Says Chander Prakash. "Wetlands are the main source from where the ground level water gets replenished. Receding ground water level is amongst the most acute problems that Punjab is facing now." Prakash, 34, a PhD in Zoology is an assistant professor in Punjab Technical University .

It was his stint with Wetland International, an international NGO, which works for the conservation of wetlands, during his masters that drew his attention to the conservation of wetlands in Punjab. "They are the kidneys of our eco-system and are rich in bio diversity," says Prakash. He joined Kheti Virasat, a Nabha-based NGO, and introduced "Wetland and Water Conservation" in their charter that is now giving them technical support for their projects. He also promotes organic farming.

"Even when the State Government was not in favour of organic farming, we were able to do our bit through the NGO wherein 300 farmers practiced organic farming in Patiala," says Prakash adding, "I want to see a healthy Punjab , where people have a nourishing living mechanism."

Prakash also worked towards the detection of the cause cancer in Malwa. "I spoke to the people there and realised that their problems were related to water. I startedcounselling the people about water prone diseases," he says. Rubbishing titles of a philanthropist Prakash says, "I have a long way to go."

Upneet Mangat is doing what she believe in

Upneet Mangat, 30, a qualified advocate, is a lecturer in the Centre for Human Rights and Duties in Punjab University. The gold medalist from Punjab University is associated with two NGOs-Human Rights Law Network and Student Human Rights Network. Says Mangat, "The charter of my NGO is women empowerment. We recently organised an awareness camp in village Sarangpur near Chandigarh.

A number of women came up with queries relating to domestic violence and their rights regarding the inheritance of movable and immovable property." Mangat further informs that the exposure she got while doing her internship with the Commonwealth Secretariat pushed her into Human Rights activity and made her more aware of her social responsibilities. Says Mangat, "It gives me immense satisfaction when women come to me regarding the settlement of their domestic disputes and I am able to help them."

She considers her mother, Amrita Mangat as her role model. "My mother is my biggest motivation in life," says Mangat. Her NGO also started a signature campaign on Disarmament Day last October to gear support regarding the Central government's signing of the Anti Land mine treaty so that causalities arising out of land mine blasts are reduced in border areas.

Says Mangat, "I was selected for the WAVE program! Women Aloud: Video blogging for Empowerment. The project involves training young women to become community journalists. We teach them to handle the camera, writing scripts and giving a pictorial representation to social issues." Through the aegis of her NGO she also provides pre-legal aid to the victims of human rights violation.

Bairagi's NGO is opening an orphanage and an old age home in Rakba

"I want to make India a secular state in practice. Though the Preamble of the constitution of India determines it secular, but that is far from reality," says Buta Singh Bairagi. At 29, this youngster has already travelled across the globe through his international NGO, Banda Singh Bahadur International Manch, to spread the message of communal harmony. His NGO promotes secularism and human rights.

Bairagi conducts a melange of philanthropic activities. "I m a missionary, not a social worker. We want people to learn the teachings of Banda Singh Bahadur and emulate them so that we can usher in religious tolerance in our society," he says, adding, "We organise blood donation camps. I conduct workshops on his teachings and we do sapling plantation also."

Bairagi's NGO is developing an orphanage and an old age home in Rakba village of Ludhiana. "Banda Singh Bahadur introduced the concept of 'land to tiller', an act that empowered the downtrodden. He made Bhai Baaj Singh, a scheduled caste, the subedar of Sirhind province at that time. This is what we want to do. Empower the poor and the neglected," says Bairagi. He is also involved with another NGO, Students Human Rights Awareness.

"We want to make people more aware about ramifications of domestic violence. We are focusing on youth delinquency and drug addiction." Their NGO organises counselling workshops for the youth on career and the hazards of drugs. "My NGO would be organising a state level function on International Youth Day on August 12, whereby an appeal would be made to ensure that they stop using drugs and move towards a definite career trajectory in life," informs Bairagi.

Another do-gooder is Harsh Goel, associated with Umeed Khanna Foundation in Sangrur. "Seeing your students imparting training to other people is nothing less than a catharsis in life," says a proud Goel. A coordinator in the social welfare wing of the NGO, they are imparting stitching training to village girls. "When these girls become proficient in their craft, we get financing done from banks and help them set up their own venture," says Goel. Some of the girls have even joined the Red Cross society. Looks like change is surely on its way.

Do You Like This Story? Awesome! Now share the story Too bad. Tell us what you didn't like in the comments